Secondary Level Dress Code

Incarnate Word Academy maintains a code of dress and grooming consistent with its character as a private, Catholic, college-preparatory school. This code contributes to a seriousness of purpose, a constructive learning atmosphere, and the development of sound personal habits and a positive self-image. To teach the total child, teachers and administrators will instruct students with regards to proper and acceptable dressing and grooming habits. This is to include stressing neatness, cleanliness, acceptability, and appropriateness. Students should be dressed in such a manner that instruction is enhanced and not hindered. Neatness, cleanliness, and appropriateness are to be the guiding factors. The entire staff will enforce the dress code.

Ladies

Solid colored polo shirts with the Incarnate Word Academy logo.
Solid colored skirts, slacks or shorts.
Skirts and shorts may not be shorter than three (3) inches above the knee.
Shirts shall be tucked in at all times and be able to stay tucked in.
The midriff must be covered when the arms are raised above the head. Low cut necklines are not permitted.
Hairstyles are to be neat and well groomed.

Gentlemen

Solid colored polo shirts with the Incarnate Word Academy logo.
Solid colored slacks or shorts.
Shirts shall be tucked in at all times and be able to stay tucked in.
The midriff must be covered when the arms are raised above the head.
Hair shall be neat and well groomed. Extreme hairstyles such as Mohawk, mustache, small pony tails or pigtails are not permitted. Hair shall not extend beyond the following limits:
Front- not to touch the eyebrow.
Side- to bottom of ear.
Back- top of shirt.
Students shall be clean-shaven; sideburns are not to extend below the bottom of the ear.
Earrings are not permitted.

Ladies and Gentlemen

Unusually extreme fads in jewelry and makeup are not permitted.
Hats, caps or other head coverings are not permitted (keep in vehicle).
Skirts/pants/shorts are to be worn around the natural waist. A belt is required.
The width of the pant bottom may not be more than ten inches.
Low-rise and/or cargo type shorts/pants/skirts are not permitted.
Visible tattoos and body piercing are not permitted.
Tattered, frayed and sagging clothing is not appropriate.
Wind pants, sweatpants and warm ups are reserved for use in athletics.
Fabric must be appropriate and not made of Lycra, Spandex, Nylon, etc…
Shrugs, Crop sweaters and jackets, and form-fitting clothing are not to be worn.
Trench coats/overcoats are not to be worn.
All clothing shall be appropriately sized: (i.e. not tight, too short or too baggy).
Sunglasses are not to be worn on campus.
Non-natural hair colors are not allowed.
No student shall wear any garment which includes, but is not limited to, any item that depicts the occult, gang membership, death, suicide, violence, gambling, beer, sexual connotations, tobacco, drugs or alcohol. This includes belts, jackets, buttons, or trademark emblems generally associated with the above.

SPIRIT DAY DRESS, BLUE JEAN PASSES, AND WEDNESDAY CLUB DAYS

On Spirit Days, blue jeans are only allowed with a red and/or white IWA T-shirt or polo. Blue Jean Passes require a small contribution which allows a student the privilege of wearing blue jeans with any school polo. On Blue Jean days, students must purchase and display the official pass. Wednesdays are designated as Club Days, which allows students to wear their club shirt, Mission Shirt, Witness Shirt, or Sports shirts. No PE/Athletic period shirt is allowed. (Jeans are not allowed on Club Days).

INTERPRETATION OF APPROPRIATENESS / EXTRACURRICULAR AND CO- CURRICULAR ACTIVITIES

The principal, athletic director, sponsor, coach or other person in charge of an extracurricular/co-curricular activity shall be authorized to appraise and regulate any fashion, fad, or article of clothing to determine its appropriateness for school wear and extracurricular/co-curricular activities.

VIOLATIONS OF THE DRESS CODE

Students shall be in compliance with the dress code prior to arrival at school. A student that comes to school wearing clothes that violate the dress code or in any other way violates the attire and grooming standards, she/he will be asked to come into immediate compliance. Refusal or inability by a student will result in disciplinary action (ISS placement), and parent notification. Repeated violations of dress code and grooming standards will result in disciplinary action and parent notification.